Ron has tweaked a superb salmon pattern this week. With the permission of Jock Royan head ghillie on the Kinermony beat of the river Spey, Ron put the "tiger" in his popular pattern the Kinermony Killer. We will be putting it in production soon and are taking forward orders for it. The fly will be in the style of the picture and tied on Salar silver doubles in sizes 7, 9 & 11.

The new Kinermony Killer Tigerback

We have a "Buy one get one free" in operation for 1 week only on all flies ending Sunday midnight on the 3rd Feb. With more notable rivers opening at the end of this week (Friday 1st Feb) and springers gathering, its a great time to stock up with deadly spring flies! Please order soon as stocks of some flies will run out! This offer does not include Classic flies or Selection boxes.

Simply place your order on-line and we will double it up.

There is particular interest this year on our new Tiger Tail tubes which fished so well last year.

Black & Yellow TigerTail

Alistair TigerTail

We have some awesome new fly tying materials sourced from the States for sale online here - check them out below.

Full Tiger Rabbit hides for tying all those superb looking new Zonker Tiger flies.

Amazing New Opal Mirage for adding to hairwings in 2 different sizes - micro and standard, you need to see these to believe the stunning glint.

The Helmsdale river has been in good order recently and ice free but no fresh fish have been seen or caught yet. The weather conditions on the other hand have not exactly helped encourage many anglers out. Persistent Easterly gales have now eased and next week looks much better with the onset of an unsettled but Westerly flow. Temperatures are to remain above freezing so there will be nothing to stop a springer ease into the bottom beats.

Friday sees the opening of the Rivers Dee, Tweed & Brora, by Saturday we should have some fishy pics from these rivers especially the Dee & Tweed. We have loads of great spring flies in stock, Willie Gunns, cascades, Black & yellow, Flamethrower, you name it - we have it so don't forget to visit our on-line shop to stock up. We are also fully equipped with rods, reels, lines, sink tips and leader material, everything you require to get hold of a springer if you are lucky enough to meet one.

I had a trip to beat 6 yesterday on the Helmsdale courtesy of Achentoul rods, The wife, Karen joined me at lunchtime so at least I could take some bonny pics! The water looked excellent but there were no fish around of any kind.

Flat pool looking perfect

Karen enjoying the famous Kildonan Falls pool (this pool stops most fish in their tracks until the temperature rises above 40 - 42 or so)

Karen on tail of the falls pool ( Dogs nose ) see it on the left?

Posh Willie Gunn copper tube 1.5" looking awesome in the morning sun.

Karen on the Dyke pool waiting for that take!

Church streams looking good

We have a cracking article this month in the Trout & Salmon magazine about Fulling Mill and our flies. I have tied up 70 new patterns for them to start modernising their whole range for the trade. We will ofcourse be carrying the full range when they are available in February - look out for them! We have also added more opening day pics in the opening day report.

The 4 free days fishing are now over and unfortunately the first fish has remained elusive. Conditions have generally been very favourable for the time of year so it is a little disappointing that over 200 rods could not find a fresh runner anywhere in the Helmsdale river. The Tay opened today with 15 spring salmon recorded up to 21lbs. Here is some more footage of the opening from Mike Shepley - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0jP3M_OorE

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Television report - STV news 22mins into the link here - http://player.stv.tv/programmes/news-at-six-aberdeen-north/2013-01-11-1800/ No springers to report from day 2 on the Helmsdale as strong bitterly cold easterly wind blowing upstream made for very demanding conditions. However Roddy Gillies had hold of what we think may have been a good fish in the Fall pool beat 6, roddy hooked the solid fish but was quide quickly broken by him due to the ferocity of the short fight. The fall pool is not known for producing anything other than fresh fish on the run and in the mild temperatures we have had I think it sounds like Roddy had a springer on the end.

The first two days have recorded the highest ever figure for angler participation with 185 names in the book for the free fishing. Monday & Tuesday will be open to the public again, lets hope the weather holds for the next batch of keen visiting anglers.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Helmsdale Opening day was enjoyed by 130 keen anglers with a busier day expected tomorrow (Saturday). Yours truly opened up the season this year after delivering a toast of Clynelish whisky from the new opening quaich. " A toast to the good health of the river and an abundance of salmon, to the anglers and ghillies i wish you good luck and tight lines for the season ahead". Most anglers in attendance had a Clynelish in hand by this time offered by (the better half) Karen Sutherland, The first few casts were made and the river was pronounced "open for business".

Sir Michael Wigan got the ball rolling with the Sutherland schools pipe band as usual, both were on top form and enjoyed by the large gathering.

Conditions were very good with the river running at 1ft and very pleasant weather. Lots of kelts were caught and a farmed fish was also recorded but no fresh springers were teased from the clear running river. With water temperatures hovering around 40 degrees there are sure to be fish in the system, someone just needs to get lucky!

We have another 3 days free fishing so get the rod out and get over - the first fish prize awaits you!

A few pics from the day and a couple of movie snippets from the opening days below - the official film/photos will be posted soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUKwkVxvVek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1FsbhSA8TY

The Sutherland Tartan set up for the first cast with DTX salmon Rod, Loop Evotec reel, Carron Jetstream line and Posh Willie Gunn.

Ron & Rob Gibson - Nice to see the Scottish Government on the scene enjoying the festivities.

Ron & Sir Michael lead the way to the river.

Sir Michael welcomes the large gathering.

The Toast

Ron rockets the first cast towards the Telford bridge built 1811.

Lower Caen beat 1

Sonny Jappy enjoying Salscraggie pool beat 1

Bacon rolls from Timespan tasting great as Monica delivers to Lower Caen pool

The one that got away was this size guys? Local Artist Frank Beg And Ron look on amused...

Kilphedir pool looking good

Shop banter after dark, Clynelish time (again!)

The river is looking superb for the opening day of the season tomorrow (11th) running at around 1ft on the guage and totally ice free. A super opportunity for anglers to get the rods out and have a fair chance of hooking a prime January springer. We look forward to welcoming you all for a feast of salmon fishing. Please clock in at the tackle shop for your free fishing permit.